Learning TCC: Infinite Love

We remember our own invitation from the universe to learn T’ai Chi Chih. Some of us were not too sure what this new set of movements held in store for us. We had not yet learned they were a beautiful discipline. We were amazed that what looked easy, when we watched others doing the movements, was not really very easy for us. What was the difference? Where was the softness? Where was the love?

Even watching closely, we found we missed small things, like the fact that the back heel was not to come up very high. The less attention we paid to the back heel, the higher it rose. Instead, as the body moved forward, we tried to make the movement happen – by moving forward too quickly and not staying at the same level throughout the movement. Because our body was undisciplined, we could not find the feeling of flowing, which then caused us to bring the heel up too high. Our teacher smiled, even though we were moving as if we were not paying attention. There was little coordination between the top and bottom of our body and no release at the waist. Our teacher could only see our sincerity (teh), infinite love.

Flowing looked so beautiful that we tried to imitate it, but alas, we did not know that we needed to let go and feel the flow inside. The more we imagined what the movement was supposed to be, the more we “tried” to flow, the less we were able to do it. Our own being would not allow us to lie to ourselves; we thought ourselves ungifted, unyielding and unloving. All of these assumptions set up blocks. The blocks inside of us would not let us turn our waist; we moved our shoulders instead. We could not move our legs and feet easily. Instead, each movement was an effort. Where was the loving, flowering of life?

So today, we are challenged again. Will we give up, or not even start? Or will we give in to infinite love? What does it mean to stand for something? Something that holds us up, tall and soft. It strengthens our backbone to bring light into the world. From the beginning we let go, we give in, not out, and learn to love and share the Chi. Happy New Year.